View full article | Critical Review on Trends In Hydrotherapy Research
Dhananjay Arankalle1, Jincy Sundaran2, Raghuraj Puthige3
- Consultant (Technical), National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Lecturer, Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, Calicut, Kerala, India
- Senior Scientific Writer, Global Medical Affairs, Novartis Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
All correspondence may be directed to:
Dr. Dhananjay Arankalle
National Institute of Naturopathy,
Division of Intramural Research,
Bapu Bhavan, Tadiwala Road,
Pune – 411 001
Maharashtra, India
Email: consultant@punenin.org
Landline: +91-20-26059682/3/4
Mobile: +91-9923122217
Fax: +91-20-26059131
Word count (including tables; excluding abstract and references): 4898
Word count (only abstract): 263
Number of tables: 2
Number of figures: 0
ABSTRACT
Background
Hydrotherapy, a modality of naturopathy that involves the use of water at different temperatures, pressure, states, and mode of application in the treatment, has been used since ancient times. Vinzenz Priessnitz and Wilhelm Winternitz are considered the creators of “world hydrotherapy”. It is believed that external application of water on the human body produces diverse physiological effects. The objective of this review is to summarize the validity of therapeutic findings based on research studies in hydrotherapy.
Methods
A Pubmed search was carried out with the key words “hydrotherapy”, “water therapy” and “physiological effects of water”. Papers were categorized based on the parameters studied, mechanisms discussed and their application in treating diseases. Full-papers or abstracts in English from the year 1975 to 2011 were included in the review.
Results
Among all the hydrotherapeutic interventions, immersion bath, underwater massage, foot and arm bath, sitz bath and whirlpool bath (Jacuzzi) were the most studied. Cardiovascular hemodynamics, cellular immunity, psychological parameters, neonatal growth and risks of hydrotherapy were studied in depth. Studies attributed use of hydrotherapy in reduction of maternal anxiety and pain during labor, pressure ulcer healing, reduction of DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)-III scores, reduction of post-anorectic surgical pain, rehabilitation of myocardial infarct patients, enhancement of neuromuscular performance reduction in low density lipoproteins and total cholesterol, reduction of the physiological and functional deficits associated with delayed onset muscle soreness and improvement in performance recovery post strenuous training.
Conclusion
The physiological effects and therapeutic applications of hydrotherapy are diverse. The therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy based on previous research studies will be discussed.
Key words: Hydrotherapy Review Naturopathy